Report a
charity scam.
Fake charities exploit humanity's best impulse — the desire to help others. After every natural disaster, mass shooting, or viral tragedy, scammers set up fake donation pages, impersonate real charities, and pocket the money intended for victims. Your report helps shut them down and redirects funds to legitimate organizations.
Quick charity fraud report
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How charity scams work — and how to verify before you give
Charity scams are uniquely cruel because they exploit the best in people — the desire to help others in need. The FTC estimates over $170 million is lost to charity fraud annually, though the real number is likely much higher since most victims don't realize they've been scammed. These fraudulent operations surge after every high-profile disaster, from hurricanes and wildfires to mass shootings and pandemic outbreaks.
The most common tactic is name confusion. Scammers create organizations with names nearly identical to real charities: "American Cancer Research Fund" instead of the American Cancer Society, or "Veterans Relief Association" instead of legitimate veterans groups. They count on donors not checking too carefully. Phone solicitation is the preferred method, accounting for 78% of charity scam contacts, because the pressure of a live conversation makes it harder to say no.
How to verify a charity is legitimate
Before donating, check the organization on Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), GuideStar(guidestar.org), or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (give.org). Look up the charity's registration with your state's Attorney General or Secretary of State — most states require charities to register before soliciting donations. Ask for the charity's EIN (Employer Identification Number) and look it up on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. Legitimate charities are transparent about how donations are used and will provide written materials without pressure.
Crowdfunding scams
GoFundMe, Facebook Fundraisers, and other crowdfunding platforms have created new avenues for charity fraud. While platforms have verification processes, scammers create compelling fake campaigns with stolen photos and fabricated stories. Before donating to a crowdfunding campaign, look for verification badges, check if the organizer has a real social media presence, and see if local news outlets have covered the story independently.
Where else to report
File in multiple places to maximize impact:
- →FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov — for tracking charity fraud patterns nationally
- →Your state AG — most state Attorneys General have a charity fraud unit
- →Charity Navigator — charitynavigator.org — verify before donating — check any charity's rating
- →The crowdfunding platform — report fake GoFundMe campaigns directly for investigation and removal
Related scam types
Scammers often combine tactics. If this looks familiar, check these too: